My driver dropped me home, and I got out of the white Mercedes Benz. Huffing out a tired breath, I stood mindlessly in front of the main door. Water trickled down in a fountain at the back of the house, it's calming footsteps soothing my exhausted soul. Just hearing that delightful sound made me feel so much better, watching it would be such a joy.

Reminding myself to visit the garden while I stayed here, I trudged towards the door in my black kitten heels. Cathy greeted me as soon as I opened the door, as if she had been waiting for my arrival.

"Oh, you're here so early today!" She said, sounding more alarmed than happy to see me.

"Uh yeah, I went to visit mama in the hospital. Is something the matter?" I asked with confusion.

Cathy didn't answer my question, but laughed awkwardly. "Oh, she is? I wasn't aware of that. Is she too bad?"

"She'll be fine. Thank you for asking."

I made my way inside the house, already getting accustomed to the layout of this place. I had no idea of what the rest of the house contained, but I didn't care. I wasn't here to spy on them, and I was just happy I knew the way to my room.

Entering my simple room, I placed my bag in the wardrobe, and my glasses on the bedside table. As soon as I undressed to take a bath, I slapped my forehead. I should have asked Cathy if André was still home.

Well, I would eventually find out in a couple of minutes. A nice, hot shower to cleanse and recollect my senses was my first priority right now. My senses were most important to me, especially whenever I was in André's proximity.

Damn his cold, silvery eyes.

Fifteen minutes later, I finally made my way down the white staircase, and there was still no sight of André, or anyone, for that matter. Peeking around the corner, I saw a few maids whispering to themselves. Their expressions looked quite worried, and their faces were pale from fright.

Was the lady boss home? Cathy didn't mention anything about her?

But, then again, she too looked a bit pale. Her awkwardness wasn't something I'd imagined, she was really nervous. Looking back at those maids, I observed them for a moment, and saw how their eyes frequently traveled to a peculiar direction.

What was in that direction? I suddenly got incredibly curious, and while keeping an eye on them, tiptoed toward the other end of the hallway. Just to my luck, the four maids turned to themselves, probably to gossip some more, which gave me the perfect timing to run inside the hallway without being noticed.

I wondered why I was doing something like this; going to such lengths to satiate my curiosity. Just moments ago, I was content with being in my corner, but now my skin was crawling with curiosity. Something in my guts told me that I should be where I was heading towards, I was just listening to myself.

This hallway designed in a similar fashion like the others, but it seemed to be more private. There were only two rooms across each other at the end of the hallway, and the rest of it was empty. It was hard to believe that they literally just wasted so much space for just two rooms. Being rich was such a privilege.

However, as I neared the two rooms, the silence morphed into something else. I could now hear faint voices coming from one of the rooms, but I couldn't figure out which one. It made me feel like a proper eavesdropper, as I stood outside one of the doors and put my ear against the expensive wood.

The rooms could have been lightly soundproofed, but that wasn't going to stop me. I'd heard a woman's and a man's voice, and I was determined to know who they were. Upon hearing closely, and with proper attention, I could make out the shrill voice that begged from inside.

"Why don't you get it? He's trying to make a fool out of you in front of everyone? Do you not see it?" She shouted, pleaded and ordered him all at once.

Jolene Beaumont's signature tone stood out, even with such thick wood between us. She must be such a problem to bear with one's naked ears.

Just in time, another familiar voice spoke up. "You think I'm a fucking idiot, don't you? I'm fucking twenty eight years old; I know how to handle my business. Can't you and dad just stay the fuck out of my hair for one day? Is it that hard?"

That was.... one way to talk to one's mother. This man was rude beyond words, not just to me, but even to his parents. I wondered where he got all that colorful vocabulary of his.

But, all things aside, he sounded pissed. Both of them, actually. Although I could understand why his mother was angry, she didn't want me here. But, I couldn't understand André's anger, no matter how hard I tried. His sour mood was beyond my comprehension, and it threw me off the edge.

This man hated my sight too; he should have been plotting to kick me out with his mother. Why was he mad at her instead? Was there another piece of a puzzle I had missed? What was the reason this man was so revolted by the sight of his parents?

"André dear, it's just that I can't stand that bitch. How dare she come into our home and act like she owns it? What a gold digger! But, Maddy is such a good girl. She's smart, pretty, and famous. She's perfect for you, I just don't get why can't you see all that I can see?" She pestered him, and I didn't even have the time to be offended at her words.

The fact that she already had a girl ready to marry André intrigued me greatly. Why did Florian bring me here, then? André apparently hated both of us, so why go through all this hardships to bring me here?

And, most of all, who was this Maddy girl who was so pretty, famous and smart?

Someone's thunderous voice snapped me out of my thoughts, and I jumped out of my skin.

"Its because you're the one saying it, got it? Don't you know I absolutely abhor doing whatever you tell me to do? If you've picked out Maddy for me, I will never marry her. Not because I have a problem with her, but because it's you I have a problem with. I just don't want you to have a say in my matters, got it?"

I'd never imagined such a simple argument could get this heated. André was shouting on the top of his voice now, and his thunderous tone reached outside the wooden doors easily. I shivered, thinking that I should avoid making him this angry ever.

But, I kind of got the answer to my question as well. He wasn't doing this because he liked me, but because he hated his mother. I didn't know the reason why, and I might not ever come to know that, but I just hoped he had a good enough reason for it. If you had to break someone's heart like that, you better have a sound reason for it.

There was silence for about a minute, and even though I couldn't see them, I knew what it was all about. I was sure his mother must have been too shocked to say anything else, and maybe, just maybe, André must be regretting his choice of words.

But then, in the tiniest of voices which showcased her utter defeat, Jolene spoke up. "So, are you saying that you will agree to your father? Are you saying that you will marry that gold digging bitch? Is that your answer?"

Even though her question excited me to hear the answer, I felt bad. I might not like this woman, but hearing her torn and broken voice made a lot of emotions surface in my mind. I knew how it felt to be called worthless and useless in someone's life, and it was never a good feeling.

It was something no one ever deserved to hear, and for that, I felt bad for the woman. She was stuck with a son who would never consider her as his mother, no matter how hard she tried.

"Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. I don't care about what you, or the others think. But, if it's a choice between marrying Maddy or Lizette, I'll choose the latter, no matter how many times you ask me. So, don't waste your time on this anymore."

Those were his final words, before I heard faint shuffling on the floor. It alerted me instantly, but there was nowhere to hide. It was too late for me to run away, and I would get caught anyways.

Still, I tried. At least I could conceal the fact that I hadn't been pressing my ear to the door in a desperate attempt to overhear their argument. I had walked exactly three steps away from the door when it opened. Out stormed a furious André, and slammed the door back with a loud bang.

His face looked undoubtedly calm, and his silver locks were in an immaculate bun as always, but his eyes told a different story. The cool graphite irises were on fire, emitting flames of the dangerous kind. I wanted to crawl and carve myself into the wall at the moment, but his stare paralyzed me.

In an instant, he connected the dots and his jaw ticked even tighter, if possible. He looked straight at me, but I struggled to do the same. The guilt of putting my nose in his business was too much for me to feel confident.

But, he didn't comment on it at all. Instead, he said, "Don't think I'm doing this because I like you. You're still a gold digger in my eyes."

Two simple sentences, and one look devoid of emotion. It was enough to leave a scar on my heart. But, the worst part was, I shouldn't have felt that so badly.

I shouldn't have felt that pain. I shouldn't have felt anything when he said those words, just like him. Because we weren't supposed to feel anything between us. It didn't matter if I was a human being too, I wasn't supposed to feel sad about his words.

And so, I straightened my face and pursed my lips. I stopped that familiar sob that had returned to me after almost seven years, and acted indifferently, like I always had.

And long after he had passed by me, I mumbled a quiet reply, knowing fully that it was for myself.

"Fine by me," I said.

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